17:2 mockery is with me A description of Job’s friends (11:3; 12:4). Instead of providing comfort, they accuse Job of wrongdoing and mock his assertions of innocence (15:2–6).

17:3 lay down a pledge for me Job asks God to provide proof of his innocence to his friends (compare Psa 119:121–122).

17:4 you will not let them triumph Since Job believes that God prevented his friends from understanding his innocence, he implores God to prove them wrong.

17:6 he has made me a proverb for Rather than revealing Job’s innocence, God humiliated Job before others. Job’s words are echoed in several lament psalms (e.g., Pss 44:14; 69:11–12).

17:7 my eye has grown dim Job describes his deteriorating physical condition. Job’s words are typical of ot lament (Pss 6:7; 31:9).

17:8 The upright are appalled Job suggests that, instead of mocking him or being contemptuous, his friends should be appalled at his suffering (see Job 12:4–5; 17:2). Since Job is an innocent victim, his friends should be shocked and come to his defense.

17:9 increases in strength Job has a brief moment of optimism before continuing in despair (v. 11).

17:12 night into day See 3:4 and note.

17:13 I hope for Sheol as my house Job again hopes to find rest in death (compare 3:16–19; 17:13; see note on 3:13; note on 14:13; Gen 37:35 and note).

Old Testament Theology of the Afterlife

Sheol as The Hebrew text here uses the term she’ol, the place of the dead according to Hebrew thought. See note on Job 14:13.

17:15 where then is my hope Job wonders what would become of his hope for vindication if he died (16:18–22). He concludes (v. 16) that it will die with him.

17:16 Sheol The Hebrew text here once again uses the term she’ol. Here Job not only references the realm of the dead, but also references reaching its gates. God parallels this remark when he responds to Job in 38:17.